Nobody has seen the tape yet, but everybody is really very happy

Catherine Zeta Jones' spokeswoman

The tape was allegedly being offered to the highest bidder at US celebrity magazines and television channels.

The newly-weds are already engaged in legal action over photograph rights after pictures of the wedding appeared in Hello! magazine.

The couple had already sold the rights to the photos to Hello's rival OK! for about �1m.

The video tape, however, has been returned to the couple with no strings attached.

'Gracious'

C C York, a spokeswoman for Zeta Jones, told the New York Daily News: "He was gracious about the whole thing. No money was exchanged.

"Nobody has seen the tape yet, but everybody is really very happy."

There have been reports that the sound engineer was working at the wedding and had brought a camcorder with him.

The couple have worked hard to ensure they retain full control over media access to their wedding.

Courts in the UK blocked 15,000 copies of celebrity magazine Hello! which were on sale containing photos of the New York wedding.

A further 740,000 copies with the photos were later withdrawn, and Hello! magazine is currently appealing against the High Court injunction.

The couple had released to selected outlets a single photograph of themselves at the ceremony, with Zeta Jones wearing an ivory satin gown and lace train.

Her outfit had been designed by Christian Lacroix, contrary to earlier reports which had stated that David Emmanuel had created the dress.